JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – A North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) snow plow was sideswiped by a semi Sunday morning near Eckelson on I-94.
The North Dakota Highway Patrol reports that the snowplow was clearing snow in the westbound driving lane when a 2017 Kenworth attempted to pass the plow and drove into the snow fog created by the plow. The semi then sideswiped the plow.
Semi driver Duwayne Gerving, 63, of Bismarck was uninjured in the crash. He was cited for striking a snow plow. The semi sustained disabling damage.
The 38 year-old snowplow operator was uninjured. The snowplow received moderate damage.
The NDHP would remind motorists to give NDDOT snow plows the space necessary to safely remove the snow and ice from our roadways. Snow plows continue being struck statewide this year. NDDOT snow plows and other snow removal equipment have emergency lighting to make traffic aware of their location. Blowing snow and snow fog may obscure these lights and the NDDOT equipment at times. Always slow down when approaching a snow plow and pass safely when you are can clearly see around the snow plow and the snow plow operator would be able see you.
If your vision is obscured by the snow fog a plow is creating, stay back, slow your speed, turn on your hazard lights and wait for the plow operator to pull over to allow traffic to pass. Don’t ever blindly drive into a snow fog without slowing down.
In addition, do not become distracted while driving and never drink and drive.